Customer Reviews

Live: Greatest Hits

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the only officially released, properly recorded Smoking Popes live disc there is in existence. The main reason other reviewers seem to be knocking this disc is because they attended other Smoking Popes shows in the past that were better than this one. The problem with this critique is that no other show is available as a live CD, so we only have this one as a representation of the band in a live setting.

Judged on its own merits (or possibly against the studio recordings of the band), the bulk of this disc amounts to one heck of a rockin' live disc. The sound is extremely crisp and full, and the career retrospective song selection is a joy, although any long time fan will probably have a missing favorite or two. The Popes throw in a couple of items not to be found in their studio recordings: a cover of an MC5 song called "Ramblin' Rose" (both instrumentally to kick off the disc, and later in a vocal version connected to both "Pretty Pathetic" and "Writing a Letter") and a separate instrumental simply called "Surf (Instro)"

Some of these live versions actually improve upon or come out better than the studio versions. Most of the early songs (prior to the "Get Fired" disc ) sound great--in particular "Waiting Around" and "Stars". "Stars" is inifinitely better here than the tinny studio version that sounds awkwardly paced in retrospect. Even a late-period classic like "Pretty Pathetic" contains a live arrangement with an awesome sense of building dynamics here compared to the monochromatic "Destination Failure" version. The closing "I Know You Love Me" is stripped to accoustic guitar with some non-distorted electric adornment, making it an appropriately mellow disc closer after the previous "wall of sound" hour.

This is not a perfect set of performances, however. Josh definitely falters in several songs, none worse than "Rubella", where he appears to get lost and go missing, ruining an otherwise tasty performance of a "Born To Quit" highlight. The rest of the bands' efforts are nearly faultless. Matt never hits a bum note on the bass. The guitars sound great and feature some great interplay of Josh and Eli on such songs as "Before I'm Gone". Mike drums as if he's a man possessed, especially in his frenetic Keith Moon impersonation during the last two minutes or so of "Days Just Wave Goodbye".

This is a highly enjoyable, great sounding representation of the late period live Popes and should be cherished and enjoyed by all fans of the band whether you ever saw this band live before or not. Even if you attended shows you thought were better than this.

Great retrospective of Popes' music. If for nothing other than the version of "Pretty Pathetic", you need to pick this up. I was in the crowd at The Metro, and this was my fourth Smoking Popes show. It was a fantastic performance! Don't let the "fans" who are sour about the break-up deter you from trying this one. (although I agree you should hear their other records first)

Not enough bands these days have the heart this one did. My sisters and I were at this show (my second), and one of them got me this CD as a gift since we had such a great time there and I was becoming a big fan too late. While it's nice for me that you can hear us yelling in the background, I like this CD mainly because the band is really talented all around and it shows up in every song. It's true rock and roll. The fact this CD recorded Josh's real reason for writing "I Know You Love Me" took some guts in this day and age, but what better reason is there for writing a song like that? His bold declaration made me like it even better, and the hecklers were just bitter. This was a well done show from a hard-working group of guys from my hometown, and I think anyone who appreciated their chance to enjoy their last performance without all the pressure would want to relive it or live it for the first time on this CD.

I almost didn't buy this CD after reading the negative reviews posted here, but I'm very, very glad I eventually did. The live songs sound different from the ones I'm used to from their other CDs, but I still really enjoy them. It's great to have one of their concerts on CD. I especially loved I Need You Around, Writing a Letter, Days Just Wave Goodbye, and I Know You Love Me. I really recommend this to anyone who loves the Smoking Popes.

Combining driving rhythms and insightful lyrics, Chicago's now-defunct Smoking Popes will have you moving with their stirring baselines before you notice how heartbreakingly beautiful the song really is.

Frontman Josh Caterer floats a lounge-sounding voice over the guitars of his brothers, Eli and Matt, and drumming of Mike Felumlee.

Their most popular single, "Need You Around," appears on this disc, as does the only song this reviewer knows that likens an ex to lethal rubella.

Many of their lyrics lament the demise of relationships. Song after song expresses the yearning we all feel after saying goodbye. "No More Smiles," a fan favorite, puts breaking up this way:

No more smiles/ It's just teardrops falling to the ground/ No one's around/ And I don't love you anymore/

Although this disc lacks their cover of "Pure Imagination," from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," most Popes fans will be impressed.

The live CD is by far one of the best Popes' CD. I may be a little biased, having known Josh(lead vocals) since I was six. It has a combination of their early and more recent music. If you're familar with the older songs, you can hear how the songs have changed and taken a life of their own. It is truely a shame that the band has broken up. (I keep hoping that this is just a crazy rumor). They really had potential and in my opinion, were held back by their [previous] record label. (Keep in mind that they have appeared on several movie soundtracks). So this may be the last Smoking Popes album released. It's a good note to go out on. If you never had the chance to see these guys play, you can close your eyes and almost get the feeling of what it was like.

With the reunion CD/DVD "Live at Metro" having been recently released, many people may find owning this album unecessary. To them I say, do not deny yourself the pleasure of owning a recording of the Smoking Popes in their prime.
This concert was recorded at the end of years of touring and it shows, as the guitars are so tight and perfectly in synch. The set list is the perfect blend of the band's songs from their early singles through their first three albums.
Songs like "Waiting Around", "Underneath the Blanket",and "Not That Kind of Girlfriend" may never be heard again live.
While classic songs such as "Need You Around", "Gotta Know Right Now" and "Brand New Hairstyle" are far superior to the recently recorded "Live at Metro" versions.
This is one of the great live albums of the 20th century and while I'm sure the new Smoking Popes album will be great, "Smoking Popes: Live" shows the world why the devoted fans of the band were willing to wait all those years for a reunion.

I absolutely love this CD. As said before in other reviews, Pretty Pathetic alone makes it worth buying. I'd only been to 2 of their shows before they called it quits, so this is the only album that can take me back. If you're a Smoking Popes fan, you won't mind the "flaws", it'll just make you wish you could see them play live one more time.

i was at the show where this album was recorded. It was truly a bad show. josh, the singer, looked uninterested and even contemptuous towards the audience- i left mid-way through. he also has this annoying habit of playing with rythms- often dragging just behind the beat- quite irritating to those of who love the studio recordings. that said, i bought it anyway, seeing as it might be my last chance to get a popes recording. do yourself a favor and buy ALL the other albums first.

this has to be one of the worst live cds i've had the misfortune of hearing in my entire life. at first glance i was really excited... the smoking popes (one of my favourite bands) live in chicago at the metro... has the makings of a great show, right? i read the track listing and became even more pleased. classic songs like writing a letter, not that kind of girlfriend, under the blanket, stars... the list goes on. then i listened to it. big mistake... having the benefit of having seen them numerous times at the metro and elsewhere i think people will agree with me when i say that josh was somewhere else. uninspired, hurried, and not in good form. the smoking popes were a great live band, and to release this particular show to the public gives a fan nothing more than an insight into how truly discontent josh really was, and an inaccurate notion of how the popes sounded live... this cd is extremely disappointing to put it mildly.